Liquid dispensing apparatus



Feb. 25, 1947.

Mi Mw *WR/ R. TREXLER LIQUID DISPENSING' APPARATUS Filed Dec. 9. 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR.

Feb. 25, 1947. R. R. TREXLIER LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Dec. 9. 1942 m mu M M o w n wa :E 3 w ,m 6 /ff/ MF, ///f/// m n .w n w a mw E IN VEN TOR. 4 Mrd paz/erf K ZZ MZ@ Patented Feb. 25, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Richard R. Trexler, Evanston, Ill.

Applieeti'en December 9, 1942, serial No. 468,362

Claims. 1

This invention relates to liquid dispensing apparatus, particularly of the type adapted for the dispensing of gasoline and the like It is an object of the invention to provide liquid dispensing apparatus of improved construction and operating characteristics, and more particularly to provide improved driving means therefor.

More specically stated, it is an object of the invention to provide liquid dispensing apparatus of the meter pump type wherein improved trans mission means iS-provicled for connecting the meter pump in driving relation with its prime mover or propelling means. In accordance with the principles of the invention a fluid transmission is interposed between the meter pump and its propelling means, which iluid transmission is operable to transmit power between the propelling means and4 the meter pump while at the same time permitting the propelling means to operate independently of the pump as may be desired when the pump is operating at reduced speed or when the pump is stationary. While the invention has particular applicability to meter pump dispensing apparatus, obviously it also may be used in apparatus employing independent metering devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide liquid dispensing apparatus having a iiuid transmission between the dispensing pump and its driving or propelling means, wherein means is provided for controlling the fluid transmission in accordance with the dispensing demands of the pump, and more specifically in accordance with the pressure conditions in the dispensing line on the outlet side of the dispensing pump, between the pump and the dispensing nozzle valve.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will appear from the following speciiication when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein certain preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is a general assembly view of a liquid dispensing apparatus embodying and constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention, parts of the apparatus used being broken away to more clearly illustrate the elements of the structure;

Fig. 2 is a detail view of a baiiie member adapted to be interposed between the vdispensing line and the uid transmission in the apparatus illustrated in Fig, 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of the fluid transmission mechanism as embodied in the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating a modied form of structure;

Fig. 5 is a general assembly view, similar to Fig. -1, but illustrating a further modied form of uid transmission or driving means; and

Fig. 6 is a detail View of the pressure controlled bellows and valve assembly as used in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5,

This application is a continuation-impart of my copending application, Serial No. 268,551,

led April 18, 1939, now Patent No. 2,390,136, December 4, 1945, entitled Liquid dispensing apparatus.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, and first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the dispensing apparatus shown comprises an upstanding housing l0 adapted to support and enclose the several elements of the apparatus, the apparatus being associated with an underground supply tank or the like Il forming a reservoir for the liquid l2 to be dispensed.

The dispensing apparatus comprises a main dispensing pump I3, thepump being connected to the underground tank Il by means of an inlet pipe I4 through which liquid is adapted to be drawn by the pump from the underground tank. Preferably the pump I3 is of the meter pump type, that is, it is preferably an accurate pump structure wherein the movements of the pump parts are directly proportional to the quantities of liquid propelled therethrough. The use of a pump of this type renders it unnecessary to provide a separate metering mechanism to measure the quantities of dispensed liquid.

The dispensed liquid is delivered by the pump I3 lto an outlet pipe I5 connected to the usual sight gauge I6 and flexible hose l1 terminating in a dispensing nozzle I8. The dispensing nozzle is controlled by a manually controlled dispensing valve of any suitable conventional type, as indicated at I9.

A gear 20 is connected to one of the operating pumping elements of the pump, this gear being arranged to drive a worm member 2l connected to drive an elongated flexible transmission cable 22. At its upper end this transmission cable is arranged to drive a volume register 23 by means of a flexible chain 24, a shaft 25, bevel gearing 26 and a chain 21 connected to the Volume resister. The transmission cable 22 is also adapted to drive a cost register 28 by means of a variator or change speed gearing 29 to which the cable 22 is connected at its upper end, which variator or change speed gearing is connected to the cost register by means of gearing 30, shaft 3l and a driving chain 32. By this means it will be seen that the gear 26, forming a part of the operating structure of the dispensing pump, is arranged to drive the volume and cost registers to indicate the volume and cost of the liquid dispensed. The variator or change speed gearing 29 may be adjusted so that the cost register is operated in accordance with the proper unit cost of the liquid or coment invention, comprises an electric motor or` other suitable prime mover 35. As shown, the

motor is controlled by means of a switch 36 op-1 erated from a rod 31 connected to anozzle support arm 38, the arrangement being such that when the support arm 38 is pivoted upwardly after removal of the nozzleV I8 therefrom, the switch 35.is operated to energize the motor 35. The electric motor 35 is provided with a bevel driving gear 46 arranged in driving relation with a bevel gear 4I pinned t'o a shaft 42. This shaft forms the drive shaft for the fluid transmission, as will be best understood by reference to Fig. 3. The fluid transmission comprises a liquid filled cylindrically shaped housing ,45 enclosing a driving propellerwheel 46 and a driven propeller wheel 41, the propeller wheels being provided with oppositely facing blades 48 in close juxtaposition when the wheels rare in normal driving relation as illustrated in Fig. 3. The driving propeller wheel 46 is connected to the drive shaft 42 by means of a splined connection, the arrangement being such that the wheel is constrained for rotation withv the shaft at all times, but may shift axially thereon through a predetermined range of movement. Morespecifically, the propeller wheel 46 is provided with a hub portion 49 embracing the shaft 42 and having a splined connection therewith. This hub rotates within a packing assembly 50 secured to and forming a part of the housing 45. Movement of the propeller wheel 46 away. from the propeller wheel 41,

or to the right as shown. in Fig. 3, is limited by the engagement of the wheel against the innerk end 5I of the packing structure. Movement of the wheel 46 toward the wheel 41,*or to the left as'shown in Fig. 3 is limited by the engagement of a collar 52, adjustably fixed to the sleeve 49 by means of a set screw 53, against the outer member 54 of the packing structure. A compression spring 55 arranged between the bevel gear 4I and the propeller wheel sleeve'49, normally urges the propeller wheel to the left intothe position illustrated in Fig. 3.

The driven propeller whee141 of the fluid transmission is pinned to a driven shaft 58 provided on its end with a bevel gear 59. This bevel gear is in driving relation with a bevel gear 66 secured to a shaft 6I, the lower end of which carries a` bevel gear 62 in driving engagement with a bevel A pipe line or conduit 65 is connected to the dispensing line I5, preferably adjacent the upper end thereof, this pipe line being connected to a pipe line 66 terminating within the casing or housing 45 of the fluid transmission. Preferably there is interposed between the pipes 65 and 66 a baffle device 61 shown in detail in Fig. 2. This baflle device comprises a pair of complementary plate members forming a pair of ychambers 68 and 69, the plate members being arranged to clampingly engage a flexible diaphragm member 1U therebetween. The diaphragm member 10 prevents fluid communication between the pipes 65 and 66, while permitting fluid pressure transmission therebetween,

In operation, during dispensing and while the dispensing nozzle valve I9 is open, there is only a relatively low pressure in the dispensing line I5. Accordingly, only a correspondingly low pressure exists within the housing 45 of the uid transmission, permitting the compression spring 55 to hold the propeller wheel 46 in its leftward posiltion as shown in Fig. 3 in immediate juxtaposition to and in operating driving relation with the propeller wheel 41. Under such conditions, the two propeller wheels being held in operating driving juxtaposition, the fluid transmission unit acts as a hydraulic transmission or clutch transmitting power between the driving shaft 42 and the driven shaft 58, as will be understood by those skilled in the art By this means, the electric motor 35 effects the driving of the dispensing pump I3.

As the nozzlevalve I9 is closed at the end of the dispensing operation, pressure within the dispensing line builds up, and this pressure is transmitted through the pipes 65 and 66 to the liquid within the casing 45 of the fluid transmission. Due to the fact that there is a greater area of the propeller wheel 46 on the left -side thereof exposed to the pressure within the casing 45, than on the right side-thereof, the Apressure within the casing 45 effects the automatic shifting of the propeller wheel 46 to the right against the action of the spring 55, thereby effecting the separation ofthe propeller wheels 46 and 41, and the breaking of the fluid driving connection therebetween. It will be seen that the drivingl force which may be transmitted through the fluid transmission varies with the spacing between the propeller wheels 46 and 41, which spacing is in turn dependent upon the pressure within the dispensing, line I5. If the nozzle .valve is completely closed, the propeller wheel 45 moves a maximum distance away from the driven propeller wheel 41 to effect a maximum reduction in the driving force of the transmission whereby to substantially unload the dispensing pump I3. On the other hand, if the nozzle valve is but partially closed whereby to effect liquid dispensing at reduced rates of flow, a partial rise of pressure takes place within the dispensing line I5 resulting in a partial separation of the propeller wheels 46 and 41,

By this means it will be seen that the fluid transmission maintains a proper driving relationship between the prime mover or motor 35 and the metering dispensing pump I3, permitting a vdispensing at partial rates'of flow. The motor 35 may accordingly operate at substantially constant speed during an entire dispensing operation, and while the nozzle support 38 is raised to energize thel motor switch.

The baille device Si permits transmission of fluid pressures Ibetween the pipes 65 and 05, while effecting a separation of the liquids therebetween. Accordingly the liquid used within the casing 45 of the fluid -transmission may be selected to best meet the requirements of the installation, and may for example be oil or the like. It is obvious, however, that the baille device 97 may be omitted if desired, permitting the dispensed liquid to flow directly into the fluid transmission casing 45. To minimize whirling of the liquid within the casing 45, radially inwardly directed baille plates as indicated at 'l5 may be provided. Obviously it is within the scope of the invention to provide a mounting for the propeller wheel l similar to that provided for the propeller wheel 05 whereby both propeller wheels effect a shifting away from each other upon increase of pressure within the casing 45, thereby effecting a further and more rapid separation between the propeller wheels, if desired.

In Fig. 4 a modified embodiment cf the fluid transmission structure is provided. In this in-V stance the pipe 60a communicating with the outm let dispensing line, instead of being directed to the interior of the casing @5a as in the embodiment previously described, is directed instead to a cylinder structure 'il supported on one of the end walls of the casing 45a. This cylinder is provided with a piston 78, the piston rod le of which is connected by means of a pin and slot connection with a lever 80 suitably pivoted upon a portion of the apparatus frame as indicated at i. The lower end of the lever 00 is bifurcated to form a yoke having inwardly directed pins 82 adapted to ride within a groove 83 provided in a collar member il. The collar Eli is rotatably mounted on the sleeve 09a of the driving propeller wheel, but constrained against longitudinal mction thereon by means of a pair of ball bearing collars 85 Vand 8S secured to the sleeve iSd on opposite sides of the collar 83.

As fluid pressure is introduced into the cylinder Tl through the pipe line 56a, the piston 'i8 is urged to the right as seen in Fig. 4, thereby effecting the rightward shifting of the sleeve 09a and its associated driving propeller wheel 40a for the purpose previously described in reference to Fig. 3. In the embodiment of Fig. 4 a baille device el such as previously described may or may not be provided in association with the pipe fied, as may be desired.

In Figs. 5 and 6 a still further embodiment of fluid transmission is provided. In this instance the dispensing pump |379, similar in purpose and function to the pump i3 previously described in reference to the embodiment, of the invention shown in Fig. 1, is arranged to be driven by a fluid or hydraulic transmission comprising a pair of pumps 90 and Si interposed between the motor 35i) and the metering dispensing pump |317, the pump 9| being adapted to operate as a fluid or hydraulic motor.

More specifically, the motor 35h is in this instanceiarranged by means of bevel gearing 92, 93, a shaft 90, and bevel gearing 05, 90 to drive the pump 90, which may for example be a gear pump or the like. This pump 90 is adapted to circulate uid or liquid, preferably oil, within a closed circuit comprising the pipes 91 and 90. These pipes connect the pumps 90 and 8| so that as the pump is driven, the pump 9|' is correspondingly operated as afluid or hydraulic motor. The pump 9| is arranged by means of bevel gearing 99, shaft |00, and bevel gearing |0| to operate the main metering dispensing pump l|3b.

` A pair of pipes |02 and |03 form ahy-pass circuit between the pipes 9'land 98, the connection between the pipes |02 and |03 being controlled by means of a yvalve |04 shown in detail in Fig. 6. This valve is so arranged that when it is in the position shown in Fig. 6 fluid -communication between the pipes |02 and |03 is blocked. However, when the valve piston |05 is lowered communication between the pipes |02 and S03 is established by Valve piston channels |05, |01 and |08.

To-operate the valve, the piston |05 isconnected by means of a rod l0 with a bellows'struc'- ture a flexible bellows element H2, the upper end of which is connected by means of a plate I |3-to the rod l 0; the lower end of the bellows being sealed to the housing in a fluid tight joint as indicated at I4. A compression spring l5 normally urges the rod ||0 upwardly into theposition shown in Fig. 6, but when fluid pressure is introduced into the bellows structure by means of the pipe H6, the bellows is collapsed and the rod ||0 isforced downwardly to open the valve against the action of the spring H5. rIhe pipe H6 is connected to the dispensing line |5b as in the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. l.

A pipe line ll also forms a by-pass connection between the pipes 91 and 9S, the circulation of fluid within the pipe being controlled by an adjustable spring pressed relief valve H8 which may be of conventional structure.

In operation, when the motor 35h is operating and the dispensing valve |917 is open, pump 90 is driven and by means of the liquid circulation .'ithin the pipes 91 and $8, the pump 9| is correspondingly driven as a fluid motor which effects the operation of the main metering dispensing pump |3b. The pumps 90 and 9| and their associated conduits thus form a uid transmission connecting the motor 35h and the dispensing pump |319 as in the previously described'embodiment of the invention. As the nozzle valve |91) is partially closed, pressure is correspondingly partially or fully built up within the dispensing line |5b and within the bellows structure l, thereby effecting a partial or full opening of .the valve structure |04. When the valve |00 is open, the fluid pumped by the pump 90 is by-passed between the pipes 9'! and 98 by means of the pipes |02 and |03 and accordingly the pump 9| may be stopped, as when the dispensing valve |9b is fully closed, or slowed down, as when the dispensing valve |9b is partially closed, as may be required. The valve I3 which may be adjustably set to any predetermined pressure, acts as a safety valve permitting the by-passing of fluid between the pipes 91 and 98 in the event the valve His fails.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific embodiments of the invention set forth for purposes of illustration without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described, but only as in dicated in the following claims. Y

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A liquid dispensing `apparatus comprising ,a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, a dispensing pump ar- This bellows structure is provided with Aranged in said dispensing line for propelling liquid therethrough, a prime mover for operating the pump, a fluid transmission connecting the prime mover and pump in operating driving relationship, and means controlled by the dispensing line pressure for controlling the action of lthe fluid transmission, said fluid transmission comprising uid propelling means and a uid propelled thereby, and means for isolating the transmission fluid from the liquid propelled by the dispensing pump. i

2. A liquid dispensing apparatus as dened in claim 1, wherein said fluid transmission comprises a circulating pump driven by the prime mover, afluid motor connected to drive the dis-` pensing pump,and means connecting the fluid motor and the circulating pump in a fluid circuitl Awhereby to effect a driving relation therebetween.

3. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, a pump arranged in said dispensing line for propelling liquid therethrough, a prime mover for operating the pump, means comprising iluid propelling mechanism and a fluid propelled thereby forming a fluid transmission connecting the prime mover and pump in operating driving relationship, and means controlled by the pressure in the dispensing line for varying the Yoperative eiifectiveness of said fluid transmission, while maintaining a constant fluid level within the fluid transmission.

4. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, a pump arranged in said dispensing line for propelling liquid therethrough, a prime mover for operating the pump, means forming a fluid transmission connecting the prime mover and pump in operating driving relationship, and means automatically operable in accordance with the delivery demands upon said pump for varying the operative eectiveness of said fluid transmission.

5. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, a pump arranged in said dispensing line for propelling liquid therethrough, a prime mover for operating the pump, means forming a fluid transmission connecting the prime mover and pump in operating driving relationship, and -means controlled by the pressure in the dispensing line for controlling the operative ei- .fectiveness of said fluid transmission.

6. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, a pump arranged in said dispensing line for propelling liquid therethrough, a prime mover for operating the pump, means .forming a fluid transmission connecting the prime mover and pump in'operating driving relationship, vsaid fiuid transmission Comprising a housing, a liquid bath within the housing, and a pair of propeller wheels arranged within the liquid bath whereby rotational movements oi one of said propeller wheels are transmitted to the other -through the liquid bath, and means for shifting the propellerl wheels relative to each other for varying the operative effectiveness oi the driving connection therebetween.

7. A liquid dispensing apparatus as deiined in claim 6, wherein means is provided automatically operable in accordance with the delivery demands upon said pump for actuating said shifting means.

8. A liquid dispensing apparatus as defined in claim V6, whereinv means is provided automatically operable in acoordance'with the pressure within the dispensing line for actuating said shifting means. Y

9. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, a pump arranged in said dispensing line for propelling liquid therethrough, a prime mover for operating the pump, means forming a fluid transmission connecting the prime mover and pump in operating driving relationship, said fluid transmission comprising a housing, alliquid bath within the housingy and a pair of propeller wheels arranged within the liquid bath whereby rotational movements of one of r said propeller wheels are transmitted to the other through the liquid bath, a pipe connecting the dispensing line and said housing, and at least one of said propeller wheels Vbeing adjustably mounted with respect to the other propeller wheel and Ybeing provided with a differential area eX- posed to said liquid Vbath whereby a variation of pressure withinthe housing effects a shifting of said propeller wheel.

li). A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, a pump arranged in said dispensing line for propelling liquid ltherethrough, a prime mover for operating the pump, means forming a fluid transmission connecting the prime mover and pump in operating driving relationship, said fluid transmission comprising a housing, a liquid bath within the housing, and a pair of propeller wheels arranged Within the liquid bath whereby rotational movements of one of said propeller wheels are transmitted to the other through the liquid bath, and means comprising a pressure device operable externally of Y said housing for shifting said propeller Wheels relative to each other whereby to vary the operative driving relation therebetween.

ll. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, a dispensing pump arranged in said dispensing line for propelling liquid therethrough, a prime mover for operating the dispensing pump, means forming a fluid transmission connectingrthe prime mover and dispensing pump in operating driving relationship, said fluid transmission comprising a circula-ting pump driven by the prime mover, a fluid motor driven by the circulating pump, said fluid motor being arranged to drive the dispensing pump pipes connecting the circulating pump and the fluid motor in a closed circuit, a by-pass connection between said pipes, and a valve controlled by the pressure within the dispensing line for controlling said by-pass connection.

l2. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, a pump arranged in said dispensing line for propelling liquid therethrough, a prime mover for operating the pump, means forming a fluid transmission connecting the prime mover and pump in operating driving relationship, said fluid transmission comprising a housing, a liquid bath within the housing, and a pair of propeller wheels arranged within the liquid bath whereby rotational movements of one of said propeller wheels are transmitted to the other through the liquid bath,v and means for maintaining a substantially constant liquid level of said liquid bath within the housing.

13. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source, of liquid supply, said dispensing line terminating in a nozzle having a control valve for controlling the flow of liquid Within the dispensing line, a pump arranged in said dispensing line for propelling liquid therethrough, a prime mover for operating the pump, means forming a fluid transmission connecting the prime mover and pump in operating driving relationship, and means operable in accordance with the opening of the nozzle valve for controlling the operative effectiveness of said fluid transmission.

14. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, said dispensing line terminating in a dispensing nozzle having a control valve for controlling liquid iiow within the dispensing line, a pump arranged in said dispensing line for propelling liquid therethrough, a prime mover for operating the pump, means forming a fluid transmission connecting the prime mover and pump in operating driving relationship, said uid transmission comprising a housing, a liquid bath Within the housing, and a pair of propeller wheels arranged Within the liquid bath whereby 'rotational movements of one of said propeller wheels are transmitted to the other through the liquid bath, and means controlled in accordance with the opening of said nozzle Valve for shifting the propeller wheels relative to each other for varying the operative effectiveness of the driving connection therebetween.

15. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected t a source of liquid supply, a pump arranged in said 1D dispensing line for propelling liquid therethrough. a prime mover for operating the pump, means forming a uid transmission connecting the prime moyer and pump in operating driving relationship, said fluid transmission comprising a housing, a liquid bath Within the housing, and a pair of propeller wheels arranged within the liquid bath whereby rotational movements of one of said propeller Wheels are transmitted'to the other through the liquid bath, and means for shifting the propeller wheels relative to each other for Varying the operative eiectiveness `of the driving connection therebetween, said shifting means comprising a liquid conduit connecting the dispensing line and said housing Whereby pressure conditions within the dispensing line are transmitted to the housing, and baile Ameans arranged Within the conduit whereby the liquid in the housing is isolated from the liquid in the dispensing line.

. RICHARD R. TREXLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

